Setting expectations

 I'm chuckling after reading the comments! First -- Jackie - 100%. Keep those three main areas clear - the cutting table, the ironing surface, and the sewing worktable. The rest of the place? Who cares! Well, it should be somewhat neat and tidy, whether that is in bins, on a table, or whatever. If you don't have room to work, you won't want to work! Thanks, Jackie, for confirming my new system! 

As for technology — 100% agree — if there is an issue, it can take eons to fix. I love that you warned your DH to stand back! Yep -- that helps a LOT. 

Well, I have a new story for you about technology! Two, actually, and there are times when I wonder where my head is. So, I had to get my tires changed and have the maintenance on my car done. It was going to be a 4-hour appointment. I don't care how long it takes, as long as the expectation is set up front. Do not tell me it will be 2 hours, and then it stretches beyond that. My brain will not cope with that! 

I went prepared to spend four hours - I took my laptop so I could do some writing. And the car took four hours. I was happy, and I accomplished a lot of work. I need to do that more often! 

My portable office

It sure helps to have OneDrive to store the files that can be accessed from anywhere I can log in. I'll have to tell the dealer that they need to make those big tables just a tad shorter - they are not super ergonomically correct, but I can survive for four hours. 

Anyway, I logged into the Monday Zoom to do the presentation from the dealer. I was all excited because they could hear me. I was using my SHokz open earbuds. After the call, I realized that I had been using the laptop's mic. DUH!!! Well, I'll be away for the next two Mondays, so I'll have to log in and test the earbuds. Oh my --- but I was so excited to be able to talk from that device that I didn't even bother checking which microphone I was using. 

But as I wrote using Office 365 and Windows 11, it made me realize that I NEED to get my new computer out of the box! It's so much better! 

The second technology story involves my issue over the weekend. I chatted with a support person via CHAT, and he said he would arrange to have new Wi-Fi pods shipped to me. It would take 3 - 5 business days. I explained all that yesterday. I was doubtful (extremely doubtful) that I would see those pods promptly. 

Imagine my surprise when I got home from the dealer to find this on my doorstep. 

A package for me?

I opened it up and almost died. Yep --- there are the replacement Wi-Fi Pods. Seriously? That wasn't even ONE business day. So, why did it take one month to receive a remote when I ordered it multiple times? We actually had our new remote delivered by a technician! However, one of the three orders did arrive eventually, one month later.

The new Wi-Fi pods

OH MY --- I almost forgot. When my car was ready, I was waiting in the pickup area, and a red vehicle drove in. I quickly checked the license plate - yep - the first four digits are correct. As I was about to walk to it, I noticed the tires. My winter tires do NOT have fancy rims. WHAT? Then I realized that this is NOT my car. It just so happens that the first four digits are the same, so they bought their vehicle from that dealer shortly before we got ours. 

This is NOT my car!

I'm all about setting expectations - if you say 4 hours, then get it done in 4 hours. You are the expert in how long this stuff takes. If you say 3-5 business days and it comes in before, I'm OK with that. If you say 3-5 business days, and I can see the order in our system, but it never arrives? I'm not a happy customer. 

I guess I had better do the same when promising stuff to people. OK -- I'm apologizing up front to anyone who is still waiting for something from me. Yell at me - and I'll get it done! 

Here's another way to make happy customers. I couldn't help myself, and I stopped at Best Buy on my way home to check out iPads. Mine is pretty old - purchased in December 2017, and that is practically an antique. 

One of my issues with Best Buy in the past has been the difficulty in getting someone to help me. While I was at the dealership, I conducted some research. What is the current generation, and what exactly does that mean? It's a complex matter to understand, and the details vary depending on whether you're examining the iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad Mini, or the standard model. Why can't this be simple? 

I had other questions as well. So, I walked into the store with little expectation. However, many people in blue shirts were gathered at the front. And the greeter asked me if she could help me. I said I need to talk about iPads. She hooked me up with Demetri, and well, he was a wealth of information. 

I asked a lot of questions, and he had a lot of answers. We discussed iOS, which, in itself, is a complicated system. Apparently, it will now be the same across all devices. The current iOS version is 26 (for 2026). We compared models, discussed various cases, and examined why one was superior to another. We chatted about the pencil, and well, I couldn't help myself. I walked out of there with a new iPad. The Black Friday sales haven't started yet, but I can watch the prices and when they drop, I can return it and pay the lower price. I'm OK with that. 

As I was getting ready to leave, I had a little chat with Demetri. I told him the only reason I bought the iPad that day was because of him! Yep --- he was so knowledgeable and patient with an "old lady" like me. He was willing to show me the ins and outs, and he knew his stuff. They do not work on commission, which he told me. However, I pointed out that his sales manner and respect went a long way in making me a happy customer. I'm going to fill out the survey and give him a glowing review. 

We often only complain or talk about the bad, but rarely about the good. We need to talk more about the good! 

Anyone working in retail could learn a thing or two from him. He was probably in his late 20s? But I'd buy from him again! It's for experiences like that that I purchase in-store. I would NEVER in a million years have gotten that kind of experience online. 

My new toy

While I was doing some machine embroidery last night, I unpacked the new iPad. Oh my -- it's THIN!!!! And light, which means it's going to be great for travel. 

This new iPad is THIN

I had to charge up the old one, and then I set up the data transfer. I haven't had a chance to check it this morning, but hopefully all the data transferred. That was happening on the other side of my temporary wall, while I used the embroidery machine on the other. 

Data transfer happening

The old iPad is still quite functional; however, it's been several years since I could upgrade the iOS, and I need a newer version for some of the software I run. However, it will still function as a camera, a portal for Zoom, or an e-reader. If I find I'm not using it, I might try to sell it. It has a keyboard case, a pencil, and it's the iPad Pro - so it's big! I love that size and wouldn't buy anything smaller. 

As a result of those activities, I didn't get lunch until 3 PM. Good thing I had thrown some chocolate in my laptop bag to munch on at the dealer. 

And the girls got their walk very late in the day. Murphy and I went to the library to pick up a book I had placed on hold. 

MOM - where were you???

Lexi and I went through the forest at dusk! 

Mom - it's about time I go for a walk!

Oh god -- when I was at Michaels (after Best Buy), I spotted this candle in a pie dish. OH!!! I recall several years ago, when I visited a Husqvarna Viking dealer in the US, they had created a cute little pie using one of these dishes and the Kimberbell Pie Bench pillow. 

We could NOT find the pie dishes anywhere. When I saw this, I had to buy it. 

My pie candle

This morning, I spotted the same small dishes online. And I could have bought six for about double what I paid for this. However, I used a discount coupon and the senior discount, so it wasn't so bad, and I got a new candle to boot!

Well, I have a couple of "free" days for the rest of the week, and that's OK. I need to get some stuff cleared up before I head out for a week. Then back for one day and off for another week. I have two quilts to quilt, a small sample to create, and I need to pack my samples. Additionally, I have a writing assignment to complete, which shouldn't take long. 

The last two articles are written in a rough draft, which won't take long to refine. I need a few more pictures, and I can close that chapter. All is good! And while making my sample, I can run the long arm. Yep -- it's all about being efficient! 

Well, I have to run! The girls were not happy about missing their morning walk, and I heard about it all day! We can't have a repeat of that! Plus, Bear needs a good bath before he goes home. 

Have a wonderful day!!

Ciao!!!